Hi all,
Just wondering if anyone uses surge protectors-compensators for their MS (220V) and LC systems? I understand they're pretty pricey and was wondering if its worth it, and if its standard to have one.
Thanks
Jim

For years we had no power conditioning or backup. On our modern instruments with turbo pumps, we never suffered any mechanical damage to our vacuum systems (to the turbo or from oil backstreaming) when the power failed. But we did suffer damage to electronic components on a few occasions, coinciding with brief power flickers which are all too common in our location. On some older systems with diffusion pumps, we did have messy issues with power failures. Of course, this doesn't even include the several hours of wasted time every time one of these power flickers happens.

Now we have UPS's on most of our systems. These supply power to the MS, LC and data system in the event of a power outage. I highly recommend having them if you can afford them.